Restoring Excellence in Australian Education | Senator Jonathon Duniam

At this Centre for Independent Studies forum, Shadow Federal Minister for Education Senator Jonathon Duniam presented the Coalition's approach to reforming Australian education, before joining CIS Education Director Glenn Fahey for a wide-ranging Q&A with attendees. Senator Duniam argued that after twenty years of record spending, Australian students are falling further behind their international peers — with one in three Year 9 students below minimum reading and writing standards. The problem isn't funding, but how we spend it. The real reform must focus on teacher training, a simplified evidence-based curriculum, and classroom fundamentals. Glenn Fahey outlined CIS's long history challenging assumptions in education policy — from advancing phonics-based reading instruction to early numeracy screening in Australian schools. The discussion explored the politicised and overloaded national curriculum, declining teacher quality, the importance of civics education, and the need to address boys' underperformance. Senator Duniam committed to working constructively with Education Minister Jason Clare in the national interest, focusing on what works rather than partisan point-scoring, and emphasised the Coalition's vision for aspiring to better outcomes rather than accepting mediocrity. CIS promotes free choice and individual liberty and the open exchange of ideas. CIS encourages debate among leading academics, politicians, media and the public. We aim to make sure good policy ideas are heard and seriously considered so that Australia can prosper. 📖 Read more from CIS here: https://www.cis.org.au/ 💬 Join in the conversation in the comments. 👍 Like this video if you enjoyed it and want to see more, it really helps us out! 🔔 Subscribe to our channel and click the bell to watch our videos first: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5c-JkKHb0YxFZ81XBtFCmw?sub_confirmation=1 ⏲️ Missed this event live? Subscribe to CIS to be up to date with all our events: https://www.cis.org.au/subscribe/ 📝 Subscribe to CIS mailing list- https://www.cis.org.au/subscribe/ 💳 Support us with a tax-deductible donation at - https://www.cis.org.au/support/